As the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, one of the region's best-known institutions and most recognizable landmarks, prepares to celebrate 100 years in New London, we join the congratulatory chorus and encourage the public to join in the festivities. "I do think that we have so much to offer the community, and it's important for the community to understand the goodness that goes on here and the benefit we provide the nation," Rear Adm. J. Scott Burhoe, academy superintendent, said this week.

"I do think that we have so much to offer the community, and it's important for the community to understand the goodness that goes on here and the benefit we provide the nation," Rear Adm. J. Scott Burhoe, academy superintendent, said this week.Starting next month and continuing throughout 2010 there will be a series of special ceremonies, musical performances and exhibits that will pay tribute to the academy, which traces its New London roots to 1910, when the War Department turned over historic Fort Trumbull to the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard's predecessor. The maritime services were consolidated in 1915 and the school was renamed the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. It moved to its present site in 1932.

Starting next month and continuing throughout 2010 there will be a series of special ceremonies, musical performances and exhibits that will pay tribute to the academy, which traces its New London roots to 1910, when the War Department turned over historic Fort Trumbull to the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard's predecessor. The maritime services were consolidated in 1915 and the school was renamed the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. It moved to its present site in 1932.From its modest origins the academy has grown into one of the nation's most respected educational institutions. In addition to striving for academic excellence, the academy stresses character, leadership and service, and the community benefits from numerous contributions by cadets who embrace these qualities.

From its modest origins the academy has grown into one of the nation's most respected educational institutions. In addition to striving for academic excellence, the academy stresses character, leadership and service, and the community benefits from numerous contributions by cadets who embrace these qualities. Every cadet must complete eight hours of community service each semester, and by most accounts they typically exceed that requirement by volunteering at nursing homes, mentoring students and cleaning up local parks.

Every cadet must complete eight hours of community service each semester, and by most accounts they typically exceed that requirement by volunteering at nursing homes, mentoring students and cleaning up local parks.The community benefits in other ways - by attending free U.S. Coast Guard Band concerts at the academy's Leamy Auditorium, as well as lectures, sporting events and other public activities, or simply by enjoying the sight of the training barque Eagle, with cadets aboard, sailing in and out of New London Harbor.

The community benefits in other ways - by attending free U.S. Coast Guard Band concerts at the academy's Leamy Auditorium, as well as lectures, sporting events and other public activities, or simply by enjoying the sight of the training barque Eagle, with cadets aboard, sailing in and out of New London Harbor.So happy anniversary, Coast Guard Academy, and we hope the school will continue to be an asset to the city, the state and the nation for a long time to come.

So happy anniversary, Coast Guard Academy, and we hope the school will continue to be an asset to the city, the state and the nation for a long time to come.